coca

noun

co·​ca ˈkō-kə How to pronounce coca (audio)
1
: any of several South American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon, family Erythroxylaceae)
especially : one (E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine
2
: dried leaves of a coca (especially Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine

Examples of coca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Trim’s thick Geechee accent (coca-nut wataa), the words come alive and escape the contours of the waveform. — Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026 Morales has been entrenched in his coca-growing stronghold in the Chapare region since 2024 and has refused to appear before the courts. — ABC News, 21 June 2026 Pemberton’s first stab at a commercial beverage was an off-brand version of Vin Mariani, a popular coca wine. — Mariah Franklin, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 According to El Espectador, Cepeda has explained that most farmers plant coca crops not out of choice but due to a lack of available resources. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for coca

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kuka

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of coca was in 1670

Rhymes for coca

See All Rhymes for coca

Browse Nearby Words

cobwork
coca
cocaine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coca. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

coca

noun
co·​ca ˈkō-kə How to pronounce coca (audio)
: a South American shrub with leaves that are the source of cocaine
also : its dried leaves

Medical Definition

coca

noun
co·​ca ˈkō-kə How to pronounce coca (audio)
1
: any of several South American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon of the family Erythroxylaceae)
especially : one (E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine
2
: dried leaves of a coca (as Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine

More from Merriam-Webster on coca

Nglish: Translation of coca for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coca

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